You may be like so many women who wish that gray hair could be gone with the snap of a finger. Unfortunately, a magic formula that eliminates gray hairs forever probably won’t ever exist. So instead, we’ve created a list of tips and tricks for mastering the art of coloring gray hair with Naturtint Permanent Hair Color.
Here’s what you need to know for covering your gray hairs more effectively:
If you have gray hair, pause before grabbing the first box of color that catches your eye, and opt for a Natural (N) tone. They’re the ideal shades for maximum gray coverage. If you’re going for reds or fashion tones, the gray strands will act as highlights, giving the final color some variation. For the most even coverage, mix your shade of choice with a natural tone to get even coverage. Our Color Specialists are available to assist you in choosing the best options for mixing colors.
Once gray becomes your predominant hair color, think about lightening your hair. When your gray hairs do start growing back in, they won’t stand out as much against lighter hair as they would against a darker shade. This tactic will help to disguise your gray hairs longer between your color treatments.
Fighting stubborn gray hairs? Your hair cuticles might be resisting the lift needed to allow the color to penetrate. Try cutting back on the developer by up to 25% to increase the color concentration. This will allow for deeper saturation in color.
If you’re using Naturtint hair color products, we usually recommend leaving the color treatment on for 40 minutes. However, if you have stubborn gray hairs, you can leave it on 5 minutes beyond this recommended timeframe. Those extra minutes should help your hair cuticles open a bit more.
When coloring your hair, keep these tricks in mind for gray coverage success, or reach out to our amazing Color Specialists for advice or assistance. And to help your hair color stay strong between sessions, check out this blog on 5 Ways to Keep Your Color From Fading.
]]>The stigma around women going gray isn’t new. In fact, it’s been around since the Ancient Egyptians invented the first henna hair color around 1500 B.C. A key motivation for inventing hair color was to color gray hair.
Gray hair is often associated with aging and/or women letting themselves go. But the truth is, going gray can happen at any age. Gray hair is caused by loss of melanin, not the number of years you’ve been on this earth.
So, let’s examine the stigma around going gray. When did it start and have we made any progress to end the stigma? Keep reading to find out!
Related: The History of Hair Color: Brilliant Color Through the Ages
Despite the conversation deeply rooted in culture that gray hair is unwanted and seen as a sign of aging, it was tough to get rid of. Chemical hair color was still considered unsafe in the early 20th century. Not to mention, in a modest era, hair color was seen as something only vain women would use. This attitude helped to perpetuate the idea of coloring hair as a taboo topic. Yet, societal pressure for women to cover their grays continued.
Only in recent decades have women felt empowered to make their own choice as to whether they want to color their hair or embrace going gray. Let’s take a look at advertising’s role in perpetuating the stigma around going gray and how we ended up where we are today.
It didn’t take long for hair companies to tap into anxiety, societal pressure to maintain beauty standards, and fear of aging as a way to sell hair color and expand their market in the early 20th century. In one example, a black-and-white French L’Oreal ad from the 1920s showcased a sad and happy version of the same woman side by side, with the happy woman wearing a stylish black bob. The English translation for the ad reads: “Not one more white hair; forever 30 years old.”
This is just one example of ad companies pushing to make the correlation between hair color and youthfulness. Shortly after, companies liked Clairol followed suit with ads that referred to gray hair as a “heartless dictator” and something that could have significant control over how a woman lived her life.
The message was clear: women needed to get rid of gray hairs but do it secretly. This was seen as a private matter that shouldn’t be discussed (even amongst families). In fact, salons even offered private back entrances for clients who didn’t want to publicly share that they were coloring their hair with the world.
Besides playing off a women’s insecurities and doubts, what else helped to fuel the stigma of going gray and drive sales for the hair color industry? For most advertising companies, subtle ad campaigns also played a huge role in normalizing hair color. The iconic 1956 Clairol ad asking “Does she…or doesn’t she” was so successful that it became a catchphrase in the United States.
It was also around this time that at-home hair color kits debuted, ensuring privacy and paving the way for further growth for the hair color industry. And, during the 1960s, coloring hair became more commonplace as public sentiment around hair color began to change. Using hair color was openly accepted and talked about. This was arguably fueled by slogans and campaigns like L’oreal’s “Because you’re worth it.”
Since then, women have been more open about coloring their hair. However, it took a few more decades for them to have the courage to openly embrace going gray.
Even though we’ve become more accepting as a society of those who decide not to cover their grays, it’s tough to overcome centuries of pressure for women to conform to youthful beauty ideals. Therefore, knowing the ideals that have been placed on women in terms of the way they act, look, and dress, and choosing to let yourself go gray is an empowering act. Women who are letting their grays show are showing self-confidence and making it clear that they are not defined by the youthful stereotype. Embracing grays is more than just a trend, it’s a lifestyle shift.
Now that more and more women have embraced their grays these past few decades, they’ve helped to spark a revolution where gray hair is accepted and even celebrated. This has led to younger generations feeling empowered by women in their families embracing their grays and inspired to follow in their footsteps.
There are even a handful of celebrities that have embraced their grays including Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, and Jamie Lee Curtis. However, even though this recent push by celebrities to embrace grays has garnered positive attention, the truth is that they represent only a small part of a youthful-driven entertainment industry.
Just as you express yourself through your shoes and outfit, hair color is another means of self-expression. In a world that feels out of our control at times, your hair color is one thing that you can control. And it plays a large role in how you look. As the saying goes, “When you look good, you feel good.”
So, now that you’ve learned more about the stigma around going gray and how it’s changed throughout the years, we challenge you to make the decision that’s best for you. To embrace your grays or color your hair.
And, if you’re looking to create a hair color that’s uniquely your own, be sure to check out our line of USDA Certified Biobased Permanent Hair Color! With 35 shades, you’re sure to find a shade (or combo of shades) that’s perfect for you!
]]>It’s no secret that going gray is an inevitable part of the aging process. For centuries, gray hair has been associated with aging, and, until recently, was viewed as something to be hidden at all costs. As far back as the Ancient Egyptians, women have been concerned about covering their gray tresses and doing so in a private manner.
In fact, it wasn’t until Clairol’s 1956 “Does she… or doesn’t she” ad campaign that women began to openly and confidently talk about the decision to choose the color of their hair. Since then, the stigma around going gray has steadily decreased.
Today, in large part as a result of lockdown, more women are taking control of their narratives when it comes to coloring their hair. Some have chosen to color their hair as a way to maintain self-expression while others have chosen to embrace their grays. Going gray, which was once seen as shameful or “letting yourself go,” is now shifting to become a revolutionary act for women to control their beauty decisions on their own terms.
To get to the bottom of the “To dye or not to dye?” debate, we interviewed women of all ages on whether or not they colored their hair. Then, we dug deeper to find out their motivations behind either choice.
Keep reading to find out what they had to say!
Related: The History of Hair Color: Brilliant Color Through the Ages
First, let’s look into some of the reasons women are in favor of coloring their hair.
One of the easiest ways to express yourself is by coloring your hair. Hair color is an extension of your personality and an easy way to express yourself. Not to mention, a gorgeous hair color allows your confidence to shine through.
“I started having gray hair in high school and always felt red hair perfectly matched my personality and creative spirit, so I started dying it at home in high school and continue to this day, although now I’m more picky about finding dyes without ammonia or some of the other chemicals. I love my red hair though and can’t imagine stopping. It’s like part of my identity.” – Adrienne F.
“I’ve been colouring my hair for the past 7 years (I’m in my late 20s). I do it as a way to change up my look and try different colours that compliment me. I also like to be bold and dying my hair allows me to show that on the outside.” – Anna B.
“…I have been blonde, brunette, redhead, purple-haired. I am 31 and have been coloring it some of the time (not always) since I was maybe 12? It’s a self-expression thing, all the way. Of course, there’s vanity to it. Sometimes I feel more beautiful blonde or whatever — but it’s more just who I am and how I want to feel. I see it as a way to be fashionable when I don’t have the body or energy for the clothes I want to wear. I see the purple or “non-natural colors”, and the frequent change, as a [screw you] to the corporate world, the rules about how we look and what that suggests about what we’re capable of, etc.” – Kayla N.
Another reason to color your hair? If you’re not digging your natural shade, coloring your hair is a fun and easy way to fall in love with your look again.
“I’ve been coloring it since teenage years – used to be bright red, now it’s black. Why? For fun honestly, and my natural shade doesn’t really spark joy.” – Bogici
“… my natural color is more boring! I like to try different looks every once in a while!” – Courtney M.
One of the great things about hair color is that, unlike your job or where you live, you can always easily change it if you don’t love it. During these last 18 months or so, when so many things have seemed out of our control, hair color is one of the few exceptions. And, because hair color needs a refresh every 4-6 weeks (depending on hair growth), it’s an easy way to shake up your look every so often.
“I change mine allllll the time. Sometimes out of boredom, sometimes because I’m having lots of feelings and it gives me something to be in control of, sometimes because it just needs it.”- Laura K.
“I view hair as like makeup or clothes — something to accessorize for fun. I’m often motivated by something in my life-changing or the want for some change (it’s like an adventure of something different, new and fun).” – Brittany N.
Not only does hair color offer you an avenue to express yourself; it’s also a great form of self-care. As the saying goes, “When you look good, you feel good.”
“It offers a temporary change to my look, allows me to appreciate myself, and feels like another branch of self-care. – Sheeta V.
“…I have dyed my hair regularly since college. I first did it just for fun. But it eventually became an important part of my self-care routine. When I’m struggling with other things (like my weight or stress) it gives me a mood or confidence boost that is much needed.” – Heather
Let’s face it – no matter your age, you may not be ready to deal with gray hair yet. Luckily, hair color is a quick and easy way to cover grays and help you regain confidence in your color.
Are you curious to learn how to color resistant gray hairs at home? Check out our blog post here!
“I color my hair. I did it for a while just for fun and change color, but I’ve been doing [it] regularly for the last few years to cover my gray hair (I have gray hair since I was 17) since I’m not ready to go all gray yet.” – Karina C.
“When I do color it, it’s to cover grey roots. Or add highlights for some mom pizzazz. I don’t color it when I am lazy and don’t feel like making the effort.” – Danielle C.
“I started coloring my hair in my 30s b/c I started going gray. I held out as long as I could and just started with coloring the gray but now I add highlights and make it fun. I just like it… and now, I can’t ever stop.” – Shane S.
“I totally [color my hair] for me. Looking ‘younger’ in the ad business is still a thing, but now that I’m running my own place, I don’t feel that pressure as much. I mostly just want to feel happy and healthy for my age. If I do start going gray, I’ll likely keep coloring until I’m ready to embrace gray someday.” – Jennifer H.
Now that we’ve examined the pros of coloring your hair, let’s take a look at the other side in favor of embracing your natural hair color.
While gray hairs have long been associated with aging, that’s not truly the main cause. Genetics are actually the culprit here and play a major role in determining how fast (or slow) you’ll go gray.
A silver lining to going gray? The hair color that was once viewed as a way of going against conventional beauty standards is now being seen in a new light. Instead of being ridiculed, there’s been a shift in the conversation, and gray hairs are now embraced and even celebrated.
In the spirit of celebrating natural and gray hair, here are a few reasons why the women surveyed choose to rock their silver locks.
In the last few decades, there’s been an uptick in the number of women saying goodbye to the time and upkeep required to maintain colored hair. Instead, they’ve chosen to embrace their grays and spend their time and money on other items they deem more important in their lives. For some, this choice was influenced by the pandemic; for others, it’s been more of a long-term decision.
“I don’t color my hair…haven’t for at least 15 years. I would rather ride my bike then spend time in a salon on my days off.” – Christina K.
“I started [coloring] at 15 and stopped just last year! It was a COVID decision coupled with the fact that I didn’t want to maintain it anymore. I didn’t like spending 3 hours and a lot of $$ on a Saturday at the hair place.” – Laura M.
“I am 54 and don’t color my hair… I’m salt & pepper now. My hair grows very fast so I would be doing it all the time. I’ve earned every grey hair I have and I’m proud of it! I’d rather spend my money on other things.” – Pat O.
“I don’t color my hair because it is too expensive to keep up with and I haven’t (knock on wood) found any white hairs yet. Although I’ll probably embrace it when it happens. I am for the natural, not expensive look.” – Cassandra Z.
Additionally, women are choosing not to color their hair or are stopping coloring because they’ve embraced their natural color. A few of our respondents were also unsure if coloring their hair would affect the hair’s texture.
“I stopped coloring mine and am surprised at how nice my grey is!” – Kathy B.
“I like my natural hair color and I already have drier hair so I fear it would damage it more. – Alexis W.
“When I was young, my hair was jet black and so shiny that strangers would compliment me on it. When it started to change, it came in silver. Now it’s mostly gray and still shiny. Recently a stranger stopped me to admire it. I think the sheen is because I never colored my hair.” – Laurie L.
“No, I don’t color my hair. I’m tempted to but I worry about the after-effects. Such as texture issues and then having to keep touching up the color. Also, I love my black hair! – Vasundhara M.
“I don’t color my hair because my greys are faint and all throughout my hair. I am going to fully embrace when my hair turns full silver. I like the gradual changes in my appearance.” – Domonique H.
For centuries, women have felt societal pressure to conform to certain beauty standards. But nowadays, many women are ditching these unrealistic standards and leaning into self-love instead.
“I didn’t color my hair for 5 years […] but just last month, I did lowlights and a toner. I am 60% grey and didn’t like how my hair looked pulled back but I was very proud to rock grey hair and try to fight the stereotype around aging.” – Natalie B.
“I’ve never colored my hair. To be honest, I’ve been torn about it. I’ve always liked the idea of going gray naturally and embracing the aging process instead of trying to fight it. But then I started getting gray hairs in my early 20s… which was way earlier than I’d imagined it in my head. Now I’m closer to 30 than 20 and I’ve got quite a few grays. For now, I’m still not coloring it. If I wanted to color my hair simply because *I* liked it that way, then I’d be all for doing it! But I can’t justify spending that much time and money on something just because society tells me I should. That being said, I fully admit I might change my mind down the road.” – Emily A.
“I used to color my hair. Since having children I have stopped. My main reason for stopping was for my girls. I want them to be happy and confident with the hair color they were given and not feel that one color is superior to another.” – Lydia B.
So, what’s the correct answer of “to dye or not to dye?” The correct answer is that there is no correct answer. The decision is up to you!
And if you’re looking for a way to maintain gorgeous hair color without pricey and time-consuming salon visits, be sure to check out our line of permanent hair colors. Whether embracing your grays or coloring your hair feels more like you, we’re here to support you at every step of your hair journey!
]]>It’s no secret that there are a lot of hair rumors out there, especially when it comes to going gray. But, how do you know what’s true? And should you trust the advice that your mom heard from a friend who read it on the internet somewhere?
Keep reading as we debunk some of the most common gray hair myths and separate fact from fiction.
Related: Summer Hair Colors and Styles Guide From a Hairstylist
Does the sun cause your hair to gray faster? And can you color gray hair at home? These are just a few of the myths we’re covering in this section.
Truth: Luckily, there’s no truth to this at all. It’s just an old wives’ tale. Gray hair isn’t contagious, and it’s important to note that humans typically have between 90,000 and 150,000 hairs. However, overplucking can damage your hair follicle to the extent that it won’t grow back. Simply put, if you pluck your gray hairs, you may go bald but not gray.
Truth: Stress can’t turn your hair gray overnight, but it certainly doesn’t help. A condition called alopecia will cause a large number of pigmented hairs to fall out in a short amount of time. Here’s what you need to know: basically, your hair can only change color gradually as it grows, and gray hair is determined by genetics.
So, in this case you really can blame (or praise) your mom and dad for how quickly you go gray.
Truth: According to Web MD, sun exposure is the leading cause of skin aging and wrinkles, but it’s not responsible for graying. That being said, sun exposure can cause your hair color to fade over time. So, continue wearing those floppy hats and limit time outside to avoid wrinkles, but realize that what’s causing you to go gray is an internal factor (versus external).
Truth: You can absolutely color your gray hair at home and get great results! In fact, all Naturtint permanent hair colors are designed to cover gray hairs. Natural (N) shades provide a neutral tone with no added warm or cool pigment and are best for covering a high percentage or resistant gray or whites. And, they work well as a base for combining with other colors like reds and golds that may look too bright or unnatural for high percentage gray hair.
Truth: Once again, going gray is caused by internal factors. But it may look like you’re going gray faster because once you begin covering your grays there will be a larger contrast between the original color and your gray hair. So, when your gray roots show, they’ll be more noticeable.
Truth: A nutritious diet won’t reverse grays, but it will help keep them at bay. Deficiencies in vitamin B, folic acid, and biotin are all associated with early graying. And, other studies have shown that deficiencies in iron, calcium, and vitamin D3 may contribute to graying as well.
Truth: This is just another gray hair myth. There isn’t a magical age that gray hairs will begin to appear – you may start to see them at 25 or 65. Stubborn grays can happen at any age because they’re caused by loss of melanin, not the number of years you’ve been on this earth.
Truth: You don’t have to completely cover them! Instead, consider using them as highlights. Letting the color process for no more than 35 minutes and using less of the Neutral tone when combining colors will help with this affect.
If you’re doing a root touch up on previously colored hair, you should take into consideration the percentage of grays you have. If the percentage is 50% or more, you may want to drop your color choice down one level darker. For example, if you’re a brunette and typically use Naturtint’s 4N Natural Chestnut, try 3N Dark Chestnut Brown instead! This will help to compensate for the lack of pigment in the hair and will also show up lighter than the color you intended to choose.
Truth: Most people don’t take into consideration the lack of pigment in their gray hair strands. When adding color to gray hair, you want to be sure to have a Neutral tone in the formula with a percentage based on how much gray you have.
Neutrals are composed of a little bit of each pigment which is what creates the “neutral” affect. If the hair is not filled with a Neutral, you will see the grays pick up the underlying pigment in the color chosen that is not a Neutral. For example, 7M will pick up a bright pinky purple.
Here’s a quick guide to mixing colors for gray hair:
Now that we’ve debunked the most common gray hair myths and you’re up to speed on what really causes gray hair, it’s up to you to decide whether to embrace your grays or cover them up with a beautiful shade of hair color.
Looking for the best options to cover your grays? Our Naturtint hair color specialists are always happy to help!
]]>Gray hair can be unruly to deal with and may seem tough to color if you’ve never done it before. Luckily, you don’t need to go to a salon to cover your grays and get great results. You can banish grays in the comfort of your own home and on your own time schedule. We’ve got the scoop on how to get your gray coverage right at home, time after time. Keep reading for our top tips on coloring gray hair!
Related: 9 Gray Hair Myths Debunked
Before you begin coloring your hair, be sure to perform skin sensitivity and hair strand tests! These tests will ensure that you don’t have any allergies to the hair color and will give you a sneak peek of your color results! Learn more on how to perform a skin sensitivity test here.
Now, onto our top tips for coloring gray hair!
Natural shades 1-7 are best for covering high percentage or resistant gray or whites and as a base for combining with other colors. For example, they can be combined with reds and golds that sometimes aren’t the best for high percentage gray. Natural (N) shades also provide a neutral tone with no added warm or cool pigment.
When dealing with stubborn grays, try leaving the color in for 40 to 45 minutes. The extra processing time can help! Be sure to set your timer once you’ve finished your full application. Rinsing out your color too soon may cause uneven color or only partial coverage.
If you use leave-in hair products, wash them out 24-48 hours prior to coloring. Root concealers (aka hair mascara) and other hair products can block hair color. By washing out these products, your hair will be prepped to better absorb the new hair color.
If you want to use red tones, you’ll need to mix them with a natural tone for even coverage. Why is this a key step? Simply put, red tones will cover grays but won’t provide even coverage for non-gray hairs.
Doing a root touch-up on previously colored hair? If so, you’ll need to take into consideration the percentage of grays you have. If the percentage is 50% or more, you may want to drop your color choice down one level darker. This will compensate for the lack of pigment in the hair and will show up lighter than the color you intended to choose.
Another tip to remember when performing a root touchup with our Permanent Hair Color is to color your roots first. Process the more resistant grays and roots for 30 – 35 minutes before pulling the formula through the rest of your hair. Then, process the rest of your hair for another 10 minutes since it will absorb the color much faster than the gray hair.
When coloring gray hair on your whole head and changing your hair color, note any differences between the root color and length color. Your roots may need to process longer to give you even color throughout.
As we age, our hair becomes more and more resistant to coloring. Permanent hair color works by lifting your hair cuticle to insert color into the hair strand. When hair becomes resistant to color, it means that the cuticle is becoming resistant to lifting. This limits the color’s ability to be deposited into the hair strand.
Have you tried coloring your gray hair before but found you have resistant grays? Don’t give up hope on those stubborn grays! Instead, try this: reduce the developer by 25% to create a color-rich formula. This trick works especially well for levels 7-10.
There are many options when it comes to coloring gray hair. Most people who have 50% or less gray hair feel pressured to completely cover all their grays. Instead, consider using them as highlights! Letting the color process for no more than 35 minutes and using less of the Neutral tone when combining colors will help with this affect.
Now that you’ve achieved your beautiful hair color, it’s important to use products to help maintain your gorgeous hair. A couple of days after coloring your gray hair, apply a moisturizing conditioner like Naturtint Color Care Conditioner and leave it on a few minutes longer than usual. This helps close the cuticles and lock in color. Between washings, try Naturtint CC Cream Leave-in Conditioner for longer-lasting color!
Looking for the best options to cover your grays? Our Naturtint hair color specialists are always happy to help!
]]>Now that you’ve made the decision to go all in on coloring your gray hair, you’ll want to make sure you know how to achieve your ideal color and create lasting results. Resistant gray hair tends to be coarser and does not take hair color as easily as typical gray hair.
Wondering what products and techniques to use to cover your resistant gray hair and get beautiful, natural-looking hair? You can’t go wrong with these simple tips!
Related: Pro Tips for Coloring Gray Hair at Home
Follow along as we share with you our top tips on how to prep for coloring, and what products and techniques to use to color resistant gray hair!
Before you color your hair, we recommend waiting at least 24 – 48 hours after your last wash. This allows some of the hair’s natural oils to be produced and protects the scalp during coloring. It’s also a good idea to wash out any hair mascaras or other products and start with dry, clean hair. Otherwise, having a buildup of products in your hair can affect the result.
And, to check for any allergies or sensitivities, be sure to perform a skin sensitivity test. Learn how to perform a skin sensitivity test here.
Last but not least, perform a hair strand test to get a sneak peek of what your hair color results will be. That way, you can decide if you love your color or want to make a change before coloring your full head of hair!
It’s a pain to constantly be covering your grays. That’s why we recommend using a product that provides up to 100% of gray coverage and delivers lasting results like Naturtint’s line of permanent hair colors. We’re committed to using plant-based ingredients whenever possible and you’ll never find ammonia, artificial fragrances, or parabens in any of our products.
Permanent hair color is a great option for coloring resistant gray hair. And, for best results use Natural (N series) shades. They’re the most effective at covering grays evenly because they provide a neutral tone with no added warm or cool pigments. Also, they an be used as a base to mix with other colors like reds and golds (that aren’t the best options for high percentage gray) to improve gray coverage.
Although all Naturtint shades cover grays, levels 1-7 work the best for covering resistant gray hair. This is because there is lighter color pigment in the blonde levels 8-10, making it tough to achieve optimal gray coverage.
Looking for another easy way to get rid of stubborn grays? Try increasing the development time. For resistant gray hair, leave the product on for 45 minutes. This will allow the color to better absorb into the hair strand.
Did you know that reducing the developer by 25% (instead of using equal parts developer and colorant) can help improve gray coverage for resistant grays? Using this technique increases the color deposit to your hair and applies to all Naturtint permanent hair colors. Like we mentioned above, be sure to process your hair for 45 minutes for best results on resistant gray hair!
Most people are under the impression that all they have to do is slap some color (any color) on their resistant gray hair and it’ll be fixed. But what they don’t take into consideration is the lack of pigment in the gray hair strand. When adding color to gray hair, you want to be sure to have a Neutral tone in the formula with a percentage based on how much gray you have to compensate for the lack of pigment.
Neutrals are made of a little bit of each pigment which is what creates the “neutral” affect. If the hair is not filled with a Neutral tone, you’ll see the grays pick up the underlying pigment in the other color that is not a Neutral. For example, 7m will pick up a bright pinky purple.
Here’s a quick guide to mixing colors for gray hair:
If you’re doing a root touch up on previously colored hair, you need to take into consideration the percentage of grays you have. If the percentage is 50% or more, you’ll want to drop your color choice down one level darker. For example, if you’re a dark blonde and typically use Naturtint’s 7N Hazelnut Blonde, try 6N Dark Blonde instead! This will help to compensate for the lack of pigment in the hair and will also show up lighter than the color you intended to choose.
Now that you know the best tips and techniques to color-resistant gray hair at home, you’re ready to get started! Not sure what color to choose? Be sure to reach out to one of our Naturtint color specialists– they’re always happy to help with any and all hair color questions!
]]>For centuries, hair color has been a vital part of a woman’s beauty routine. Hair color has long been used as a way to fight off signs of aging. And, in more recent decades, it’s become a way for women to express themselves with bold color statements, enhance their natural hues, and upend traditional beauty ideals.
While the methods for coloring hair have changed dramatically since their first use, the demand and interest for hair color have remained, and even grown throughout the centuries.
So, who was the first civilization to use hair color and how has the practice evolved since then? Keep reading as we share with you the colorful history of hair color!
Related: How to Color Resistant Gray Hair at Home
Although the ingredients for hair color have changed across the centuries, many of the motivations to color hair remain the same. Let’s explore the developments in the colorful history of hair color!
When you think of all the significant contributions that ancient Egyptians made to society, what comes to mind? Chances are you may have thought of pyramids and maybe even advancements in astrology too. But it may surprise you to learn that ancient Egyptians were the first to use hair color by using henna to cover gray hair. Yes, it’s true – as far back as 1500 BC, people were concerned about covering their grays!
You may also be shocked to learn that the earliest iterations of hair color were used by both men and women to enhance their looks. Only during the Middle Ages in Europe did coloring hair shift to be a predominantly female habit.
Other ancient civilizations whose records show that they used hair color include the ancient Greeks, Hebrews, Persians, Chinese, and Romans. In fact, the first permanent hair color (jet black) is attributed back to ancient Rome.
Ancient civilizations were really onto something with their naturally-derived ingredients. Some of the hair colorants were based on recipes that included: charred eggs, cassia bark, leeks, and henna.
Hair color as we know it today changed forever in 1863 when English chemist William Henry Perkin accidentally created the world’s first synthetic dye while trying to create a cure for malaria. This dye he named “mauveine” was a vivid purple (mauve) color and lasted significantly longer than earlier dyes created throughout the history of hair color.
Shortly after this accidental discovery, Perkin’s teacher, August Wilhelm von Hoffman, derived a color-changing molecule from mauveine called para-phenylenediamine or PPD. PPD is still the foundation of most permanent hair colors today.
Another major advancement came in 1907, when Eugene Schueller created the first chemical hair dye for commercial purposes. The dye, known as Aureole, would later be known as L’oreal (the company he founded).
It wasn’t until the late 1960s that coloring hair became commonplace. And, by the 1970s, slogans like L’oreal’s “Because you’re worth it” encouraged a conversation around openly using hair color.
Today, you can’t scroll through social media, watch tv, or drive without seeing digital and physical ads with celebrity endorsements for hair color. Or, for that matter, micro-influencers as well. Hair products, hair color, and the many ways they’re advertised continue to use popular methods from the past and also test new mediums as time goes on.
Many laws have been passed in the last 80 years. However, you may be shocked to learn that very few of these laws have been related to regulating cosmetics. In fact, after a very long drought in terms of laws passed, one of the most impactful laws was passed in October of 2018. This is when the FDA published a final rule to repeal approval for the use of lead acetate as a color additive in hair dye. While this is huge progress in terms of regulation, there are still many questionable ingredients on the market (including ammonia) that brands can still use in their products.
However, despite limited regulations, we have taken it upon ourselves to strive for the highest standards when it comes to our beauty products. Since our inception, we’ve prided ourselves on creating products with ingredients derived from plants, seeds, and oils, chosen for their known benefits to the hair and scalp. Ingredients that you’ll never find in our products include: Ammonia, Parabens, Heavy metals, Gluten, Silicone, Artificial fragrance, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Animal products, Cocamide DEA, Paraffins, and Mineral oils.
We believe in plant-based beauty solutions that empower others to own their style, feel confident, and have a viable alternative to salon treatments. And now, we’ve made history as the first permanent hair color to be certified by the USDA BioPreferred® Program.
What sets USDA BioPreferred certified products apart? Simply put, these products are better for you and the environment. Biobased ingredients are derived from plants and other renewable sources and provide an alternative to petroleum-derived ingredients.
Biobased products are cost-comparative, readily available, and perform as well or better than their petroleum-containing counterparts. Biobased products also help us increase our use of renewable resources while decreasing our use of non-renewable resources, such as petroleum.
As of 2015, an “estimated 70 percent of women in the U.S. [used] hair-coloring products,” according to The Atlantic. And those numbers and the hair industry, in general, have only continued to grow since.
Reports show that by 2025, the global hair color market is expected to be worth around $28 billion, implying continued high demand for hair color and hair products in general.
There’s no denying that hair color has come a long way. What started as a product intended to cover grays has since grown to a way for women to uniquely express themselves and individually define what aging looks like.
Maya Angelou famously said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Naturtint will continue to strive to provide the most natural formulas possible without sacrificing the quality of your results.
Hair color is not going away anytime soon. If anything, it will continue to flourish and evolve as we continue to write the colorful history of hair color.
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